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Fantasy football managers are preparing their lineups for Week 14, and various injury situations need to be accounted for when making roster decisions. Adding the right player off the waiver wire, or starting the right option, could be the difference between winning and losing your matchup.
Let's check in on the injuries for the San Francisco 49ers running backs as they prepare for their Week 14 tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.
Will rookie Elijah Mitchell be able to play, and is Jeff Wilson Jr. worth picking up? Below we take a quick look at the updated injury status for Mitchell and Wilson, and attempt to answer these questions.
Is Elijah Mitchell Playing in Week 14 Against the Bengals?
After getting injured in Week 13, Elijah Mitchell did not practice to start this week while dealing with a concussion and knee irritation. On Friday, he was officially ruled out for the Week 14 game against the Cincinnati Bengals:
This is an update to the original report on Mitchell's injury below.
Is Elijah Mitchell Still Injured? Week 14 Injury Updates
It remains to be seen. The impressive sixth-round rookie has been the best waiver-wire pickup in fantasy this year and ranks ninth in rushing yards (759) in only nine games played. However, he suffered a concussion in the Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and is now in the league's concussion protocol.
NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco details what Mitchell must complete in order to play Sunday:
We'll have a better idea of Mitchell's status against the Bengals once the Niners start practicing on Wednesday. But if he clears the protocol and plays this weekend, he's proven to be a must-start RB2 with a high ceiling as San Francisco's undisputed workhorse back.
Is Jeff Wilson Jr. Worth Picking Up Off The Waiver Wire?
Jeff Wilson is absolutely worth adding off the waiver wire, and he's rostered in only 24% of Yahoo leagues. However, Wilson is dealing with an injury of his own which could complicate things:
So Mitchell isn't the only 49ers running back that needs to have his practice status monitored this week. But fantasy managers that have Mitchell rostered or that are in need of an RB in Week 14 could look to Wilson, as he'd have an elevated role if Mitchell doesn't clear the concussion protocol.
Should I Start Elijah Mitchell or Jeff Wilson This Week?
If Elijah Mitchell is active, you're starting him without hesitation, even against a Bengals defense that's allowing only 92.5 rushing yards per game (fourth-best in the NFL). But if Mitchell doesn't get cleared and Wilson's knee injury isn't a big deal, Wilson could become a decent plug-and-play RB2.
If neither Mitchell nor Wilson are able to play against the Bengals, well, then, the 49ers could be in trouble on offense. Rookie Trey Sermon (ankle) is on Injured Reserve and Trenton Cannon (head, neck) was taken off the field in an ambulance last Sunday.
If Wilson is already rostered in your league, JaMycal Hasty would become the waiver wire pickup if you're desperate. He returned from a two-game absence due to an injury in Week 13 but played just one total offensive snap as the RB3. Our guess is that at least one of Mitchell or Wilson will be able to play this weekend.
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